MPS Community Newsletter
14 December, 2021
We are Maryland Public School
'Every child, every opportunity, every day'
Maryland Public School excels in the provision of innovative, quality educational opportunities for every child, developing their skills for life.
Email: maryland-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au
Website: https://maryland-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/
Location: 51 John T Bell Drive, Maryland NSW, Australia
Phone: 4955 9430
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarylandPublic
Twitter: @MarylandPublic
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of this land.
We pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging.
We celebrate the strength, diversity and knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Welcome to Week 11
This is the final newsletter for 2021. What a year it has been!
Last week we celebrated 2021 with our Presentation Day assemblies. Congratulations to all award recipients and particularly those in Year 6 who were recognised for their outstanding achievements.
A special thank you to our outgoing student executive for their leadership throughout this extraordinary year;
Prefects - Sydney-May R and Jerome B.
Vice Captains - Anela M and Connor M.
School Captains - Charlee J and Riley M.
What a wonderful celebration and recognition assembly they hosted for our senior students.
Congratulations also to our newly appointed student executive team for 2022;
Prefects - Joel G and Halle S.
Vice Captains - Jenson N and Mia M.
School Captains - Bodella W and Phoenix B.
We know they will represent our MPS community throughout 2022 with pride, dignity and enthusiasm.
Congratulations to an exceptional group of leaders.
Our Year 6 Formal last Tuesday evening was a fabulous event. Our hall was beautifully decorated and our students looked so mature and grown up!
Thanks to to our wonderful MPS staff for adapting and adjusting plans at such short notice, for the work involved setting up and for ensuring our students had the best possible experience.
Thanks to Mr James for providing the music and to Amanda Bailey and her canteen crew for the spectacular cakes.
It really was a lovely way to celebrate the end of primary school. Thanks to all involved.
Last week we finalised the Merit Selection process for our new Special Education teacher position.
Two permanent positions have now been filled and our Support Unit teaching team is complete!
Thank you to Miss Gleeson (teacher rep), Miss Brown (AECG rep) and Sharna Hicks (P&C rep) for their support in the panel process.
I am delighted to announce that Lauren Aiken was the successful candidate and we are thrilled she is joining MPS on a permanent basis. Congratulations Lauren!
Shari Hicks is our other newly appointed Special Education teacher and we also warmly welcome Shari to our MPS team. Shari was appointed through a scholarship program and she is also really excited to be part of MPS next year. Shari has visited our school this week to meet our students and staff. Congratulations and welcome Shari!
Our 2022 Special Education Teaching Team:
Assistant Principal - Kira Gleeson (K-2 MC class)
Teacher - Elise Waghorn (IO / IS class)
Teacher - Lauren Aiken (Au class)
Teacher - Shari Nichol (3-6 MC class)
Mrs Khay is today finalising the merit selection process (as panel convener) for two permanent School Learning Support Officer (SLSO) roles in our Support Unit.
Our Support Unit team will be complete within the next couple of days!
Thanks to Mrs Khay for undertaking this role.
Last Friday I had the pleasure of hosting a morning tea for our Year 6 Gold Award winners.
All Gold Award winners have been awarded a movie ticket combo for Event Cinemas Glendale in lieu of the usual annual picnic / movie day. Congratulations to all Gold Ward winners for 2021. Your support of our PBL values is recognised and appreciated.
School reports will be sent home on Thursday. Our regular report format has been adjusted due to the significant Learning from Home period during Semester Two this year. Thanks to our teachers for the hours of work spent on student reports and congratulations to our students for their efforts during this highly unusual year.
Year 6 Clap Out
I am pleased to announce that we are able to invite one fully vaccinated family household member of Yr 6 students to join us at 2.30pm for our annual Year 6 Clap Out.
Miss Ward will be sending home a note with further details about this today.
We have strict protocols (space, social distancing, vaccination requirements etc) to follow which will not allow any flexibility to the number of additional vaccinated adults on site. Please do not ring the office to request any changes to these arrangements.
We look forward to having a family representative share this special moment with our students heading off to high school.
The final day for student and staff attendance is this Thursday (16 December). The school will be closed on Friday as staff traded off the final School Development Day back in term 1.
There will be NO STAFF on site this Friday.
School resumes in 2022 for students in Years 1-6 on Tuesday Feb 1. Kindergarten classes commence on Wednesday Feb 2.
Staff return on Friday January 28.
I wish you all a safe, happy and healthy holiday. Merry Christmas and take care everyone,
Annette Van Egmond
Principal
Lauren Aiken
Hi my name is Lauren Aiken and I am excited to be given the opportunity to be a part of the Maryland Public School community. I am delighted to be a part of such a welcoming, supportive and friendly school community. I look forward to building on the relationships I have formed with the students and staff at Maryland Public School.
I have been a Special Education teacher for 14 years and I love that every day is different. Getting to know my students and supporting them to achieve their goals is what I enjoy most about my job.
At home I like to be outside gardening and spending time with my family and our black Labrador Bernie. I look forward to learning more about bee keeping, as I hope to have a hive of my own soon. I enjoy travelling and visiting new places, both close to home and abroad and am excited about being able to plan my next trip.
I hope you all have a happy Christmas and a safe holiday and I look forward to many more exciting adventures at Maryland P.S in 2022.
Shari Nichol
MPS Calendar
Term 4
Wednesday 15 December 2021
- K-6 Party Day
Thursday 16 December 2021
- Last day for 2021
2022
Friday 28 January 2022
- Staff Development Day (Pupil Free)
Monday 31 January 2022
- Staff Development Day (Pupil Free)
Tuesday 1 February 2022
- Year 1 to Year 6 resume for 2022
Wednesday 2 February 2022
- Kindergarten commence
Monday 7 February 2022
- Swimming Carnival
Wednesday 17 February 2022
- Zone Swimming Carnival
Monday 7 March 2022
- Individual & Class Photos
Presentation Day 2021 Major Award Winners
- 2021 Dux - Vrushali K
- Senior Citizenship Award - Zachary A
- Sharon Claydon Leadership Award - Abigail H
- Integrity Award - Callaghan College Scholarship - Soa T
- Gerry Goodger Encouragement Award - Peter M
- Kay Perry Literary Award - Mia L
- Sportsperson of the Year - Harry S
- Junior Citizenship - Emelyn K
- Stage 1 Citizenship Award - Ella M
- Support Unit Citizenship Award - Kellan D
- Performing Arts Award Senior Band - Rahul R
- Performing Arts Junior Band - Wereck K
Office News
2022
If your child will not be returning to MPS in 2022 (other than current Year 6) we request that you notify the office as soon as possible to assist with our planning. Class formations and staffing is informed by student enrolment numbers so it is vital we know who will and won't be returning next year. Thank you in advance for your cooperation with this.
BRONZE, SILVER & AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Tre TC, Ivy C, Ariah G, Beau S, Sylvia D, Eli M.
SILVER AWARD
Evie P, Lawson F, Arabella E, Eli M.
AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE (GOLD AWARD)
Lachlan E, Aalivyah C, Khloe K, Brody C, Olivia E, Lola H, Jorjii McR, Hunter C, Kiaan D, Krishna S.
Early Stage 1 News
What an incredible first year it has been for our kinders, a HUGE year of 'learning' and 'challenges' that have been unlike anything we have ever seen before. We are so PROUD of our youngest students, they have risen to the changes and persevered through it all. Despite all that, it has been a fun year - lots of very happy memories for everyone, new friends made, lots of learning, discovering and achieving. I am sure you will agree with me when I say...WOW! how they have grown, in so many ways! A big thank you to you all for your continued support throughout the year.
Party day is tomorrow - Wednesday 15th December. Children can wear party/xmas clothing. They will need to bring their own packed lunch and recess and they will receive an ice block, a pkt of chips and a small pkt of lollies as a treat from the P&C.
Merry Xmas, have a wonderful holiday everyone, stay safe and we look forward to seeing you in 2022.
Mrs William, Ms Clunes and Mrs Oughton.
Stage 2 News
This year has been another challenging one for all of us, but your children have been fabulous. They have tried their best, worked very hard and been successful and resilient.
I am so proud of how they have navigated the stormy waters.
As we look forward to 2022, we are all hoping for a productive and safe year of learning and success.
We wish all our families the best for the coming holiday season and hope next year brings peace, prosperity and good health to all.
Thanks for the support this year.
Tomorrow is Party Day.
Each class will be celebrating together. There is no mingling of classes this year.
Each teacher has some fun activities planned for the day.
Your child can come dressed in their Christmas gear. They still need enclosed footwear and sunsafe clothing choices. They will also still need their school hat.
The canteen is providing each student with an iceblock and a packet of chips or popcorn. Feel free to pack them a special treat, however nothing to share please.
We look forward to spending a fun day at school.
Ms Blanch (Stage 2 Leader)
Stage 3 News
Stage 3 have had an exciting and eventful end of term. Our Stage 3 cohort have maintained excellence this term, in both behaviour and learning.
Although we had a quick change of plans, we enjoyed a very successful Year 6 farewell last Tuesday. Students and staff enjoyed a pizza dinner, ice cream and cake. We had speeches from our current and emerging student executive. We boogied away with a disco under the COLA and students were gifted with their graduation folders and party bags at the end of the night. A big thank you to our families for your flexibility and support during this time. Another huge thank you to Mrs Wingrove who organised our event, our teachers and SLSO staff who set up for the night and supervised. We are so proud of our graduating class.
5/6K said goodbye to our amazing practicum teacher Miss Parker. She has spent 6 weeks at Maryland Public School, getting to know our wonderful students. Miss Parker has been a huge asset to our class, and we look forward to seeing her again soon.
Miss Ward (Stage 3 Leader)
Sport News
Swimming Carnival 2022
The school carnival will be held on Monday 7th February.
Zone swimming 2022
The Zone swimming carnival is set for Thursday 17th February.
House Leaders 2022
The House Leaders for 2022 will be elected in Term 1.
Mrs Wingrove (Sports Cordinator)
COUNTRY FEELING UNIFORM NEWS
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, the uniform shop is unable to operate during school hours, and visitors are not allowed on site. Please order uniforms online at www.countryfeelinguniforms.com.au
You will be notified when order is ready. The order can then be collected from the office by the student, or it can be delivered to your address for a fee of $10.00.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
JANUARY OPENING TIMES
- Monday 24 January 4pm to 6pm
- Thursday 27 January 9am to 11am
Indigenous Shirts also available for everyday wear $30.00 CASH only.
Please check in with the QR Code located in the office window.